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A Delicious Paleo Snack Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Okay, you’re right, none of those statements are true, but if they are true of YOU then you’re going to love this recipe!

Belle and I first discovered it when we did a 30-day Paleo challenge at our gym (“Paleo” is short for “Paleolithic”, in case that was keeping you up at night).

Turns out that cavemen didn’t eat Frosted Mini Wheats – tragic, I know. So what did those loin-cloth sporting mad-men enjoy when their singular (sweet) tooth got a craving?

Cavemen ate bacon-wrapped dates.

No? Still not buying it? Huh, I’ll have to check Wikipedia again.

Anyhow, here’s how it goes:

A Paleo Snack Recipe

First, start with uncooked bacon – if you’re going for Paleo then it should also be minimally processed and have no added sugar or nitrites (we found a brand called Applegate at Publix, but you may have more options).

Next make sure you have some whole, pitted dates on hand – these may be in the dried fruits section of your grocery store, but ours are actually with the nuts in the produce section.

You just want to make sure they are not chopped (since it’s hard to wrap bacon around chopped dates) and don’t have pits (since we’re not looking to replicate the dental state of Paleolithic man).

First things first: preheat the oven to 450 degrees. I always forget this step.

Then, take four or five strips of bacon, lay them on a plate and microwave them for 2 to 3 minutes. Why? Well, in our experience, bacon that is cooked a little bit first not only is easier to wrap around the dates (some bacon falls apart easily), but also provides a much crispier treat at the end.

Once you’ve done that, split each piece of bacon in half (width-wise) and start wrapping individual dates, securing the bacon to the date with a toothpick. A half-strip should provide enough length to wrap all the way around the date and allow you to put the toothpick through a doubled-over piece of bacon. This is key because you don’t want the bacon to fall off while cooking!

As you finish each of these little gems, place them on a rimmed baking sheet – you don’t want any rolling away!

When you have created the desired number or run out of bacon, pop them in the oven at 450 degrees for about 10 minutes, checking at 8 minutes to see how they are crisping up.

Remember that bacon tends to crisp up a little more after you take it out of the pan, and the same applies here, so lean on the side of caution and remember you can always put them back in for another minute or two.

Once you pull them out: VOILA! Delicious treats for you and your loin-clothed brethren. Or maybe just an afternoon pick-me-up, or guilt-free post-work snack. I could keep hyphenating all day long, but I’d rather be munching on one of these!

Variations

Find this recipe too tame? Want to amp it up from a Paleo snack recipe to a classy hors d’oeuvre treat? Try cutting open the date and putting some goat cheese in the middle. I know, I know, cavemen didn’t eat goat cheese, but you don’t see a lot of food critics going around trying to reinvent cavemen cuisine. If your diet allows it, this is an incredibly simple, but decadent, entertaining option.

Sometimes I just pretend to throw a dinner party as an excuse to make them. That’s not weird, right?

Also, if you’re REALLY leaning out, and I’m talking squirrel-suit skydiving here, you could put an almond in the middle and get a double-crunch effect! But you’d have to like almonds and be willing to have a toothpick sticking halfway out of your creation, since toothpicks and almonds are sworn enemies. This is just to illustrate that you can take this recipe ALMOST anywhere – let your taste buds be your guide!

Posted by Beau.

Yields 10-12

A Paleo Snack Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Dates

15 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

25 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

1 pack uncooked bacon (12 slices)

24 whole, pitted dates

24 toothpicks

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees

Lay a single-layer of bacon strips on a plate and microwave for 2 to 3 minutes (repeat with remaining bacon)

Cut strips of bacon in half width-wise

Wrap individual dates in half-strips of bacon, secure with toothpick at overlap

Place on rimmed baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, checking at 8 minutes

We just came out with a Paleo Friendly bacon, we would love to send you a sample if you are interested! Check it out here... http://pedersonsfarms.com/2013/04/paleo-girl-finally-gets-her-bacon-yeeehaw/
p.s., I agree with Mom McKoy, I really enjoy the writing!

I've been making these as a party appetizer for a couple of years before I ever jumped on the paleo bandwagon. I buy the pitted dates, slit them open to take out the pit, and then replace it with a pecan half (or a piece of fontina cheese if I'm feeding a non-paleo crowd). I'll try the trick of cooking the bacon a little before wrapping--seems like a great idea!

Quick question! I want to take these to a party tonight, so I've already stuffed them with the cheese (and half with almonds). Can I wrap them with the pre-cooked bacon and wait until tonight to cook them? Thanks so much for this recipe! I can't wait to eat these :)

Hey Hillary, I am so glad you are making these! We made them for Christmas and they went fast :) I do not think there is an issue waiting to cook them tonight. But I would keep them in the refrigerator until that time! Let us know how they turn out!

Hi again!
Thanks so much for commenting back! I wrapped the stuffed dates in the pre-cooked bacon and popped them in the fridge until I was ready to cook them (which was about 10 hours later). They turned out awesome. I even cut the bacon into thirds and it was still enough to wrap around and secure with the toothpick. I think the trick is precooking the bacon. They were crispy and delicious. I used one package of medjool dates, and one package of bacon, which made approx 40 dates. They were gone in minutes. Even the toddlers were eating them :) Thank you again for a great recipe, and for your help in answering my question! Happy New Year!

Hi Kristina! They should travel just fine! I have even served them the next day at times. If you want that fresh out of the oven presentation then consider just taking the bacon and dates with you. They are so easy to assemble and you can pop them right in the oven when you arrive to the party :) Have fun!

I'm doing these for a party on Christmas evening. My nephew made them and brought them to Thanksgiving a year ago and they were delish! I am going to layer the "travel dish" with a paper towel to absorb any mush and keep the bacon crisp. When I get to the party, then I will display them and not have a paper towel.

There is no doubt that paleo diets are extremely effective as i have lost just over 75lbs in about a year and half. However, I really can’t emphasise the importance on getting a sustainable long term paleo diet plan that is not going to have bad effects on your health. The best paleo diet cookbook & paleo diet regime I have used can be seen at http://newsciencediet.com/paleo and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to paleo diet that will achieve long term weight loss.

Hi Jessica, you will just need to cook the bacon wrapped dates in the oven longer. It can take up to 15-20 minutes per side to get the bacon crispy! Just check them every 5 minutes and once they are crispy they are ready!

The main disadvantage of the Paleo diet is that it is very restrictive, which makes strict adherence a challenge. The question on many people’s lips is also if it is really necessary to cut out all grains. The main advantage of the Paleo diet is that you eat unprocessed foods that are rich in nutrients and contain healthy fats. If you want to learn more about Paleo diet, read this great article -"The #1 Biggest Paleo Mistake" - fb.me/4TpJXIayQ

Welcome! I'm Bri! Accidental home cook. Lover of gathering people around a table over a meal. Author of Come & Eat (September 2017). What I really want is to pull out a chair for you at my table. But until then, I hope you stay awhile and enjoy my stories + recipes!

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